Doom and Gloom

In contrast to most of my other blogs, this one is simply focusing on a changing industry. Big news in Grand Rapids has been the final show and closing of Studio 28. The reasoning was publicized as being too expensive to operate and so the famous movie theatre was shut-down.

Even landmarks find it hard to survive in times of financial difficulty. Workers who have had the same job for 20+ years are finding themselves back on the market. Unfortunately for those same individuals, they are often over-qualified for the jobs that they can find. Not to mention the fact that the salary would most likely be drastically reduced as well. These same individuals also have to compete with new college graduates, as well as with competition from around the world in the current global economy. Unfortunately this is a fact of life in Michigan at the moment.

Michiganders are used to stores closing and businesses leaving the area. Unfortunately there is no bright shining light at the end of the tunnel. Not that I view the situation as bleakly as the professional analysts do, but no one can deny that Michigan isn't doing well. The economy affects us all and retail stores take a huge hit. Its all in the numbers for many stores. Stay here and provide jobs for as long as possible or leave and stay afloat. This debate has gone on for years and with all the hype about outsourcing will continue for years as well. Here's hoping that the bright light is merely hiding around the corner.